Hotel Review: Westin Jakarta

As I travel quite often for work, I’m going to keep a record of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, to serve as a reminder of what works and what doesn’t. It’ll make future bookings much easier.

Location: Although located in Kuningan, getting to the office is relatively quick by car. Door to door transport time is shorter. It's a better option than the shangrila. Offices surround the hotel so don't expect to go anywhere once you return.

Room: Corner room. New and modern with a huge bathroom. The bed is heavenly. Westin never fails.

Gym: The treadmills and ellipticals overlook the sky (pollution rather). What I really like about Westin gym's is that they have the TRX system and sufficient weight machines. Small space for free weights.

Breakfast: The place is so big that I got lost trying to find various counters. The spread is wide, with lots of fried food options (not ideal for breakfast) and the usual omellete and bread station. If you pick carefully, there are healthy options but you have to be diligent about your selections. I like to sit by the fresh juice station so it's easy access to refills.

I selected their healthier options.

Notable items: Henshin, Japanese food on the 67th floor. I'll be back for this again.
Beef short ribs

Henshin roll with prawn, foie gras, unagi.

#Omnomnom

Would I return? Yes. Maybe just for Henshin and the comfortable room. Westin never fails in Asia.

Comments

Hotel Review: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

As I travel quite often for work, I’m going to keep a record of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, to serve as a reminder of what works and what doesn’t. It’ll make future bookings much easier. Location: Right at the Asok BTS, across from Terminal 21 and the Westin. I think traffic in this area is too jammed, and will likely avoid in the future. Room: The bed is very comfortable, but the decor is quite old school. The room feels like parts of it has been modernized, but parts of it are still the same as when the hotel was built. The whole scheme doesn't gel. The bathroom is also dated and in need of upgrade. Who uses small tiles like this in bathrooms nowadays? This is so 1990s. Gym: It has a couple ellipticals and a couple treadmills. Not much selection of weight machines and the space is rather crammed. The decor is seriously old school 1990s, but I think all Sheratons are like this. Breakfast: The selectio...

Hotel Review: Novotel Halong Bay

As I travel quite often for work, I’m going to keep a record of all the hotels I’ve stayed in, to serve as a reminder of what works and what doesn’t. It’ll make future bookings much easier. Unfortunately there was no SPG/Marriott hotel in Halong Bay area, so i ended up with Novotel. Location: Along the western side of Halong, right across some ongoing construction. Room: Decor is dark wooden, taking a spin on modern Chinese. Wood flooring and a huge king size bed that's abit hard and uncomfortable. I like the decor though. Gym: This has got to be the saddest hotel gym i've ever seen. I decided to run outside instead. Breakfast: The selection is so limited, and it's not even that good. Nice decor though. Would I return? Definitely not to this 4 star hotel. Thankfully I was only here for 1 night. Although the place is filled with Korean tourists, you can eat some basic Korean breakfast here, but that's not my preference.

Max out your Medisave account in Jan

Effective Jan 1, 2019 the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) has increased from S$54,500 to S$57,200. Funds in the Medisave Account (MA) and Special Account (SA) earns 4% p.a, while funds in the Ordinary Account (OA) earns 2.5% p.a. Assuming you have hit the $54,500 limit in 2018, we can take the opportunity to top up $2700 to our Medisave Account by this month using cash to leverage on the following benefits: Tax deductions if you use cash to top up your MA. Note the $7000 annual cap on CPF deductions, so the SA top up in FY2019 will be $4300. When your MA has been maxed out, your monthly CPF contribution from your salary and employer will flow over to your SA. This account also earns you an interest of 5% p.a. Once your SA has met the met the Full Retirement Sum (FRS), the funds will flow over to your Ordinary Account, which earns you a 3.5% interest rate p.a. In summary, whenever the government increases the Basic Healthcare Sum, quickly max out your MA i...

Eyes On Retirement

Search This Blog